Student Counselling

Did you know that Boston Media House offers all registered students free psycho-social counselling?

What to expect from counselling:

The purpose of meeting with a counsellor is to get help with problems you may be experiencing in your life – problems which may be bothering you or preventing you from achieving certain goals which are important to you.

Counselling focuses on life issues (e.g. relationships, stress, everyday problems) that people often grapple with. A counsellor allows you to offload problems and talk in a safe and confidential environment, with the goal being to assist in bringing about changes in feelings and behaviour. A counsellor works with you to help you explore difficulties you may be having, distress you may be experiencing or perhaps your dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction or purpose.

How long will it take?:

Counselling is short-term in nature (3 – 6 sessions) and aims at assisting you find your balance in life again. Sessions are 50 minutes in duration, as often as you and / or the counsellor feel necessary.

How do I book a session?:

SANDTON

Students can make a booking directly with Boston’s Counsellor, Robyn Wright-Parkin

PRETORIA

The counsellor is only on campus one day per week: Wednesdays from 09h00 – 15h00. Students can however book a session via Grace Fennessey any time during office hours (see below):

Office: Admin Block

Office Hours: 08h00 – 17h00

DURBAN

Counselling sessions are conducted via Skype with Boston’s counsellor who is situated in Johannesburg. Students will be given access, free of charge, to a private computer room and Skype connection.

Students can book a session via Brett Langton.

How much does it cost?:

Counselling is offered free of charge to all current, registered Boston Media House students.

Confidentiality:

As a general rule, information shared with a counsellor during your sessions is kept confidential, unless you have given your written consent to disclose certain information. There are however exceptions to this rule – confidentiality cannot be maintained when:

A person speaks of or behaves in a manner which indicates that they are planning to cause serious harm or death to themselves. A counsellor is obligated in this instance to inform a parent or guardian of what they have been told or have picked up on and how serious they believe the threat to be.

A person speaks of or behaves in a manner which indicates that they are planning to cause serious harm or death to another identified person. Again, a counsellor is obligated to inform a parent or guardian as well as the identified person of the possible threat and intended harm.

A person is behaving in a manner that may potentially cause serious harm to himself, or someone else, even if the person’s intentions are not aimed at causing harm. In this instance it is up to the counsellor to use their professional judgement regarding informing a parent or guardian or the relevant authorities.

A person discloses that they are being abused (physically, sexually or emotionally). A counsellor is legally obligated to report such abuse to the relevant authorities.

Where can I get more information?:

If you would like more information regarding counselling please contact Robyn Wright-Parkin at robynw@boston.co.za